Designing for Yosemite

People love OS X because it gives them the tools and environment they need to create, manage, and experience the content they care about. A great OS X app integrates seamlessly into this environment, while at the same time providing custom functionality and a unique user experience.

Before you dive into the guidelines that help you design a great app, take a few moments to explore how OS X Yosemite uses simplicity, consistency, and depth to give users a content-focused experience.

In icons that use the round graphical style—such as those in iTunes, iBooks, App Store, and Safari—the symbols use the same embossed effect, and the overall shape and use of color are consistent.

Using an optimized version of Helvetica Neue as the system font means that both apps and the system present all text consistently. The use of Helvetica Neue also gives users a consistent experience when they switch between iOS and OS X.

Reminders in OS X

Reminders in iOS

Yosemite refines the impression of plausible, physical dimensionality in the UI. In particular, Yosemite uses translucency and vibrancy to help users focus on what’s important to them. (Vibrancy is a sophisticated blending mode that lets UI elements absorb color from content that’s underneath them.)

Drop shadows, translucency, and vibrant colors help the active window stand out so that users instantly notice it.